Craven Week 2022

Earlier, the Sharks side outplayed Valke 33-12 and, in the opening match of the tournament, Griquas and Eastern Province delivered an exhilarating performance ...

The Sharks vs Valke match was a more direct affair with both sides trying to outmuscle the other. The opening match yielded eight tries as Griquas outscored EP four tries to nil for a 27-3 lead at the break, but then the EP side came back strongly. No less than 30 tries were scored with the two sides from host union Western Province, in particular, in dazzling form.

The Tinkie Heyns field at Rondebosch High School in the southern suburbs of Cape Town provided the perfect conditions for quality running rugby on the first ...

A lot of these teams have played a few warm-up games, we haven’t. We’ll just work on a few things. An attempted chip kick without much support by Border flyhalf Kyle van Wyk was charged down and Graham regathered for his second try within minutes, this time cantering to the tryline. We’ll have a board session… Western Province 34 (22), Border 18 (11) Western Province kicked off the first day of the 56th edition of the iconic Craven Week in fine style with a dominant 34 (22) 18 (11) win over a spirited Border side in the final match of the day on Monday. Border threw everything they had at Western Province, but the defence didn’t flinch.

No less than 30 tries were scored on the opening day of the 2022 Craven Week tournament at Rondebosch Boys High School in Cape Town on Monday.

Province scored soon after the restart and what a beautiful try it proved to be on the counter-attack, with wing Luke Graham swan-diving to celebrate. The Province pack were in command though, mainly due to some storming play by prop Zachary Porten and a third try was never far away. The second half was a bit more disjointed, as Boland had to turn defence into attack and ran from everywhere. Griquas outscored EP four tries to nil for a 27-3 lead at the break, but then the EP side came back strongly. This resulted in a highly entertaining match, with a number of flowing movements, especially from the Griquas, who attacked through their willing backline on every occasion. No less than 30 tries were scored with the two sides from host union, Western Province in particular, in dazzling form.

The return to the SA Rugby rugby calendar of their flagship schools tournament, the Under-18 Craven Week, saw 30 tries on Day 1.

Flanker Michael Maseti scored a gem, showing great strength to crash over amidst a heap of Province defenders, but the early lead by the home side proved defensive. Province scored soon after the restart and what a beautiful try it proved to be on the counterattack, with wing Luke Graham swan-diving to celebrate. That was scored by centre Jameel de Jongh. Border kept plugging away though and a try by flank Tiaan Jacobs earned them some reward for staying in the fight, earning a 22-11 scoreline at the break. The second half was a bit more disjointed, as Boland had to turn defence into attack and ran from everywhere. Western Province XV were just too slick for their Western Cape neighbours, Boland, and it seemed that their backs would score every time they were in possession. The Sharks had a more structured approach, and their game management was excellent.